Many citizens within BC have medical coverage for a portion of acupuncture treatments. Other companies with extended health medical will cover the entire treatment. It is best to inquire within your insurance company to find out if you qualify for reimbursement. RCMP and some Veterans can be covered for up to 25 visits/year through Blue Cross with a Doctors note, however they must let reception know ahead of their appointment this request.

Is Julie available for Lunch and Learns?Charisse Iyog2018-05-15T02:01:12-07:00

Yes, Julie currently is available to come to your office complementary, and educate you and your staff about the benefits and fascinating theories behind acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, and Chinese Medicine. Please contact Julie directly at julie@acucarevancouver.ca

Here are more specific questions about treatments offered at AcuCare:

Frequently asked questions about Facial Renewal Acupuncture

Why shouldn’t I get injections and fillers?Charisse Iyog2018-04-14T07:38:55-07:00

Have you got a question about Constitutional Facial Renewal Acupuncture? You can find more FAQ about it in the About Cosmetic Acupuncture page, our blog or get in touch with Julie Shillabeer R.Ac for more information or a consultation.

I don’t live locally but would love to have Constitutional Facial Renewal Acupuncture treatments. What do other patients do?Charisse Iyog2018-04-14T07:31:32-07:00

Julie Shillabeer, R.Ac practices in pHresh Spa – Nestled in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s West End. Her patients are so happy to travel for treatment and she treats patients from all around Vancouver.

Patients come from all areas including White Rock, Surrey, Langley, Richmond, Delta, Vancouver Island (Nanaimo area). If you feel you live to far away, please contact Julie as she can do home visits at an added cost, or she may have a facial renewal Acupuncture referral in your area.

Why wouldn’t you? It is important to do maintenance treatments because the two best friends of aging are gravity and the sun. We need to combat that through bi-monthly or monthly sessions – depending on your daily stress, diet, sleep and exercise habits. Most individuals wouldn’t question going to the gym 3-5 times/week, and know how it will help prevent more serious diseases. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and we must love and care for it in the same way.

What should I expect during my first facial renewal session?Charisse Iyog2018-04-14T07:28:27-07:00

Typically, the first facial renewal acupuncture visit involves a comprehensive skin and health history assessment. You will bring in your consultation form you were emailed, or feel free to download it from the webpage. Questions we might ask may seem strange, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine we need to look at the entire system. In treatment, it is important to including the emotions, to diagnose what the root imbalances are in the system. For example, we may ask to examine your tongue, feel your pulse to help determine energy flow, or ask many questions related to bowel habits and diet, even if these seem to have nothing to do with your skin concerns.

After the initial acupuncture consultation and assessment, we will start the treatment. At AcuCare, we believe that education is imperative to the success of the treatment, thus we will explain why we are putting Acupuncture needles where, and why. It is common to experience a deep ache for a short time in some of the points. The depth to which the acupuncture needles are inserted varies according to the treatment and the individual. The pins are usually left in place for five to 20 minutes, usually no longer than 40 minutes, and then removed.

Following your facial renewal treatment, we will usually reassesses how you are feeling, and give suggestions for home care. Regular monthly visits may be suggested as preventive measures to decrease stress, improve energy or boost immunity.

Skin elasticity starts to decline at the age of 21, so it is never too early to start. Best results are seen in patients between 20 to 55 years old as it delays the aging process and keeps the skin glowing. Even patients older than 55, however, have been known to experience fantastic results. No matter what age you start, you will find it beneficial. The great thing about facial renewal acupuncture is that it also benefits your whole body and can boost your energy, immune system, and overall sense of vitality.

Frequently asked questions about Acupuncture

In Traditional Chinese Medical theory, acupuncture works by restoring balance to the meridian channel system; draining stagnation and blockage in areas where too much Qi is accumulated, and boosting and tonifying areas of insufficient flow. The goal is to have a smooth flow of qi and good reservoirs of blood, yin, and essence.

From a scientific perspective there have been tests done where patients had blood taken before and after Acupuncture. What they found is that Acupuncture boosts the immune system (it raises levels of specific hormones, prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma globulins, and overall anti-body levels). It also stimulates the secretions of endorphins in the body, as well as affects neurotransmitter levels such as serotonin and noradrenalin, thus de-stressing an individual. This is why people feel like they are floating on a cloud after a treatment. It has the effect of constricting or dialating blood vessels. This may be caused by the body’s release of vasodilators, such as histamine, in response to Acupuncture. Acupuncture also closes certain nerve gates by strategically overloading them with impulses, thus reducing pain transmission.

How Long Will It Take to See Results? Will I Need Acupuncture Forever?Charisse Iyog2018-04-12T23:31:58-07:00

Likely not, but this also depends on the reason you’re receiving treatment in the first place. For short-term issues, a handful of acupuncture treatments could do the job. For chronic or longstanding issues, a “maintenance schedule” would be set up in order to ensure that your body’s systems are running smoothly and steadily after the initial period of relief and change.

Acupuncture is also a great preventative health measure. Remember, increased blood flow means your body is better able to heal itself, and will increase your immune system response—helping you better fight off and prevent disease.

Usually when you first come in for Acupuncture, treatments are done on a weekly basis, usually once, and sometimes twice or three times per week depending on your specific care plan and progression towards healing. Once the condition has been controlled and you are symptom-free, the treatments are done less frequently. Problems that have been around for a long time usually take more treatments to resolve than ones that have appeared more recently. Your treatment course will be determined after the first visit and reassessed after each session.

Does Acupuncture Just Relieve Pain, or Will It Treat the Problem at the Source?Charisse Iyog2018-04-12T23:30:35-07:00

At AcuCare, the focus is to treat the reason behind why the symptoms exist, and not JUST the symptoms. We aim to both relieve pain and support the body’s ability to heal itself. From an acupuncturist’s point of view, there’s no separation between pain relief and healing—pain is reduced because there is healing. The two are inextricably entwined.

The needles are just simple, sterile, unaltered filiform needles. They don’t use any pain-numbing agents, but rather reduce pain by promoting movement of blood and bodily fluids, relaxing tissues and the nervous system in general.

Do The Acupuncture Needles Hurt?Charisse Iyog2018-04-21T03:56:10-07:00

This is the most common question asked about Chinese acupuncture, since many people associate needles with pain. Acupuncture needles are a similar thickness to a dog’s whisker and are virtually painless when inserted.

The practitioner will insert the needle to the appropriate depth. You will then usually feel a very unique sensation that can vary from tingling, to heaviness, to warmth, or even nothing at all. Each person’s experience is different. Should you experience any discomfort, it is important to let us know, so we can adjust the needles accordingly. All needles are sterilized and disposable.

What should I expect on a visit to AcuCare?Charisse Iyog2018-04-12T23:00:55-07:00

Typically, the first acupuncture visit involves a comprehensive health history assessment. You will bring in your consultation form you were emailed, or feel free to download it from the webpage. Questions we might ask may seem strange, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine we need to look at the entire system, including the emotions, to diagnose what the root imbalances are in the system. For example, we may ask to examine your tongue, feel your pulse to help determine energy flow, or ask many questions related to bowel habits and diet, even if these seem to have nothing to do with the primary complaint.

After the initial acupuncture consultation and assessment, we will start the treatment. At AcuCare, we believe that education is imperative to the success of the treatment, thus we will explain why we are putting Acupuncture needles where, and why. It is common to experience a deep ache for a short time in some of the points. The depth to which the acupuncture needles are inserted varies according to the treatment and the individual. The pins are usually left in place for five to 20 minutes, usually no longer than 40 minutes, and then removed.

Following an acupuncture treatment, we will usually reassess how you are feeling, and often give suggestions for home care. Acute symptoms may require only two to four treatments; whereas for chronic cases, it is common to have as many as 12 or more treatments, usually over a course of eight to 10 weeks. Regular monthly visits are suggested as preventive measures to decrease stress, improve energy or boost immunity.

Frequently asked questions for TMJ and Jaw Pain

Does Acupuncture eliminate the structural imbalances of the jaw?Charisse Iyog2018-04-17T05:43:16-07:00

While acupuncture therapy may not eliminate the cause of TMD resulting from structural anomalies, such as degenerative changes and disc displacement, acupuncture can help relieve the pain and discomfort associated with the conditions. It has been documented that acupuncture can help muscle relaxation and reduce muscle spasms, if the spasms are muscular in origin.15 Acupuncture can also help minimize TMJ “clicking” by relaxing the lateral pterygoid muscles, and thereby reducing the anterior displacing force on the meniscus of the TMJ.

Modern research has revealed scientific reasons why acupuncture is a successful therapy. In the 1970s, reports appeared in Western medical literature suggesting that acupuncture reduces pain sensation through direct stimulation of the nerve, which changes the quality of signaling along nerve cells.

In fact, research suggests that acupuncture may suppress the nociceptive trigeminal nucleus caudalis and spinal dorsal horn neurons via modulation of the release of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters.

Frequently asked questions about Sound Healing and Facial Soundscapes

As sound healing is very gentle, it is ideal for people of all ages, as well as pets. When used in the auric field it is non-invasive. It can help to balance the brain hemispheres of babies, increasing their intelligence and inducing a state of serenity. In the same way it can assist children with ADHD, and elderly people with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Can I have sound healing when I am receiving other forms of treatment?Charisse Iyog2018-04-12T22:19:36-07:00

Sound healing can be easily incorporated into many other healing modalities such as Acupuncture, Reflexology, Osteopathy, Aromatherapy, Reiki, or Therapeutic Massage to increase their effectiveness and speed healing.

Are there any contra-indications?Charisse Iyog2018-04-12T22:20:00-07:00

People with pacemakers should not have sound healing, as it induces entrainment, which may counter-act the heart rate set by the pacemaker. Sound healing does not interfere with medications. However, as frequencies do induce healing of organs and tissue, those on medication should be monitored by their physician, as medication may need to be gradually reduced.

Is Vibration/Sound Therapy used in the Medical Field?Charisse Iyog2018-04-12T22:20:07-07:00

Yes. Ultrasound has been used extensively in medicine for decades as a diagnostic tool that assists with therapeutic intervention. Ultrasound works by bouncing sound waves off of body parts to create images. It is used to exam organs in the body, checks for blood flow, and detects disease. Urologists use vibrational energy to break up stones in the urinary tract. Lasers, which are amplified light energy, are used frequently in surgery.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanners (M.R.I.) are used by Radiologists. They are powerful diagnostic tools that shift the electrons in the cells. They work by detecting radio frequency signals emitted by excited Hydrogen atoms using energy from an oscillating magnetic field applied at the appropriate resonant frequency.

Healing Tuning Forks produce a deeply relaxing effect in the body. As sound waves pass through the body, their rhythmic vibrations promote a release of tension at all levels of the body – rebalancing and realigning all aspects of the individual – physical, mental, emotional and energetic. A sound healing treatment helps calm and focus the mind; balance the central nervous system and enhance the body’s own self-healing processes.

How often should a person receive a sound healing session?Charisse Iyog2018-04-12T22:20:19-07:00

The frequency and duration of sessions varies depending on the needs of the individual. In a physical, emotional, or spiritual crisis, some people may come in once or twice per week. Once the initial concerns are addressed, you may come once a month or every other month for a tune up or preventative care that helps keep the body in harmony. Sound healing sessions continue to shift the overall health, and work both quickly and deeply than some other modalities you may have tried in the past. Sessions are effective for both ongoing health issues as well as preventative or wellness care. Many people are drawn to the work for the clarity, relaxation, and heightened awareness they experience during and after a sound healing session.

Why can’t I come in initially for Sound healing and Facial Soundscapes?Charisse Iyog2018-04-12T22:20:24-07:00

It is important to have an initial treatment before sound healing, so we can determine what your main root diagnosis is. We may then use sound with magnet therapy for your first session. As sound healing can be very intricate, the protocols take preparations prior to your follow-up sessions so that you can get the most benefit out of every session.